Post-op patients.. Question on Nutrition

Iam looking into gastric bypass surgery, and I am all set to see the surgeon on November 20th. I have just went to my counselor today who I have been seeing because I am a divorced mother of two, and I spoke to her about getting gastric bypass done. She was totally against it and said that she knows several people who have had it done and that they have really dry skin, dark circles around their eyes, and that they just aren't healthy because of the malnutrition part that gastric bypass puts you into. Seeing that your stomach is much smaller and you have the nutrients not all going into your system because part of the small intestines is bypassed. I am just wondering about all this. I know that my blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc isn't good for me too. But she is trying to say that I could do the weight loss on my own and shouldn't need to go through Gastric Bypass. But myself, I have been dealing with being overweight since a young child, and I don't want to have the weight anymore and just want to be healthy. My counselor on the other hand says that it is a bad choice to lose weight and that it could shorten my lifespan and have many malnutrition problems. Could someone try to ease my anxiety, and tell me if they are experiencing the hair loss, dry skin, darkened eyes, etc. Or is it as long as you follow your diet and take vitamins daily like the dietician tells you things will be fine?

Kristy, I had surgery Aug. 17 and I'm doing well. No dry skin (I drink as many fluids as possible), I had dark circles only after surgery which is to be expected, the hair loss may or may not come but I'm ready for it! Will things come up? Possibly....but I plan to stick carefully to my eating plan and whatever goes in my mouth will be good for me. Will this surgery shorten my lifespan? Possibly....but so would the high blood pressure, gastritis, and diabetes that I was sure to get soon. My ankles, knees and hips would be gone long before I was. Life is full of "what ifs" but for me this was a chance I was willing to take. Yeah, I'm older than you and don't have younger kids...I have two daughters 24 & 21 that weren't too thrilled with my choice but after some research came to understand my decision. This is for YOU to decide and I can't say enough about researching weight loss surgery before you make a decision. Did you know that Machias hospital has a support group? Call and see if you can get to a meeting without surgery. Read everything you can on the subject...this website is a wealth of knowledge and there is a forum on weight loss regrets. Check it all out carefully before deciding. Eastern Maine Medical Center has a great Weight Loss Surgical Center and good physicians. Take care! - Cheryl

Hi Kristy I am also a single mother of two and I had gastric bypass 6/28/05. I have had absolutely no complications whatsoever. I did go through a phase of losing my hair but that happens to almost everyone. But it all grows back in and it only lasts a few months. Its not like you go bald or anything. Other then that my blood tests have all come back just fine. You will be taken plenty of vitamins and protein to make up for whatever you can not take in by food. I am the healthiest now then I've ever been in my entire life. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to have this surgery done. This decision is totally a personal decision. Make the choice because of what you want. Not what the counselor wants. I personally think its pretty unprofessional of her to say these things to you without medical documentation. Like any surgery there are risks. You have to make the decision if the benefits will outway the risks or not. Good luck and I pray that you make the right decision for you.

Hi Kristy, I usually don't post very much but I read your story and prompted me to share with you. I to am older then you and have struggled all of my life to lose weight. My mother had me on the first diet pill when I was 14. All of my life I have lived with the stigma of being fat. Everyone would point fingers and call me names, when I was in school. I felt that it was my own fault that I didn't have "will power" to lose the weight. I was told that I was a deviant, because I was so big. That was my home town. When I went on my own, I started to lose but then would gain it back. So, now, I'm 56 years old, have 3 wonderful grandchildren that I want to see grow up and I made the choice to live. On my travels though, I was told by professionals that there isn't nothing wrong with me but will power can do the job. Well, I have news for them, there is more to it then will power. I lead a very busy life and yes I have to take vitiamins for the rest of my life. The alternative? Cholestoral medicine, diabetic medicine, other medications just to maintain a facade of health? I have learned that those people that have just diet and exercise, 60% of those will gain back the weight in 5 yrs. People with gastric bypass are able to take off the weight and keep it off and the percentage is 50% at the end of surger and 50% after 5 yrs. That is pretty good odds for me. I am amazed how many professionals believe that gastric bypass is the easy way out. IT ISN'T! For a lot of people it is the only way to control weight and health issues. I have found, I was operated on in June 06, it isn't the easy way out. One has to change eating patterns and behaviors while learning how to live a healthier life style. I wish you the best and hope you make the right decision for you, it is your life and no one elses.

Thank you everyone for your input. I am happy to tell you all that I have decided that I am full steam ahead! I am going to go through the surgery, and it is because I am the one who wants to lose the weight, I want to eat healthy, and I believe that the surgery will help me in doing what I really want. I have been struggling since I was in 4th grade, and if I was able to do this on my own, I would have done it way before this. I am excited to be able to have a "tool" to help me lose weight , that I am going to use it to the fullest, and I know I am going to feel much better after the weight is gone. Thanks for the support all.